Kenyatta University signs deal to construct Sh5b hostels

Kenyatta University Vice Chancellor Olive Mugenda (right) signs an agreement with Africa Integras Managing Partner Anderea Pizziconi (left) for the construction of 10,000 capacity student hostels at the university’s main campus on Friday as the university’s Chancellor Benson Wairegi (standing right) and Chairman of the institution’s Council Ratemo Michieka (centre) look on. [PHOTO: KAMAU MAICHUHIE/STANDARD]

Kenyatta University has signed an agreement with an American company to construct 10,000 capacity students hostels under the Public Private Partnership (PPP).

The project estimated to cost Sh5 billion will see construction of the hostels to accommodate 9,350 undergraduates and 650 postgraduates at the university's main campus. The hostels will also include 150 special units for married students.

Africa Integras will build the hostels on a 15-acre piece of land and transfer them to the university after the end of 20 year concession period to recover their investment.

Speaking during the agreement signing ceremony last Friday, the university's Vice-Chancellor Olive Mugenda said the move was a major milestone towards easing accommodation pressure in the university while providing a benchmarking model for other institutions to adopt.

"The partnership is the first of its kind in the country and the East African region. The hostels will be customised to cater for all the needs of the students," said Prof Mugenda.

She said the hostels will be more convenient for students to enjoy on-campus learning and social facilities while ensuring adequate safety at an affordable cost.

According to the VC, the university currently has a student population of 70,000, with only 10,000 being housed in 21 hostels.

The Treasury's PPP unit director Stanley Kamau lauded the university's management for being bold and moving the project forward as the first institution of higher learning in the country despite numerous challenges. "This will no doubt provide useful benchmarking lessons for other institutions while meeting the Government's shortfall in bridging the infrastructure gaps in learning institutions," said  Mr Kamau.

Africa Integras Managing Partner Andrea Pizziconi reiterated her firm's commitment to the success of the project. Ms Pizziconi said the project is a demonstration of how existing capacities in the private sector could be utilised in addressing infrastructural capacities in the higher education sector not only in Kenya but also in Africa.